## The Rise of Open AI in the Periphery of the Global Market: DeepSeek Rewrites the Rules

The race for artificial intelligence has exposed the planet's geographic fractures. While developed nations rapidly adopt generative AI tools, developing regions fall behind — until a Chinese alternative began to change the game. Data released by Microsoft reveal that 16.3% of people worldwide adopted AI tools between October and December, a modest increase from 15.1% in the previous quarter. But the number that truly matters is another: wealthy countries are attracting AI users at nearly twice the rate of emerging markets.

Juan Lavista Ferres, Chief Data Scientist at Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab, does not hide his concern. "We are seeing a divide, and we fear this divide will continue to grow," he warned during an analysis based on anonymous data from global devices. The United Arab Emirates, Singapore, France, and Spain lead the adoption ranking, benefiting from early investments in solid digital infrastructure. South Korea emerged as a positive outlier in both studies — Microsoft and Pew Research Center — embracing the technology with impressive speed.

## How DeepSeek Transformed the AI Economy in Peripheral Markets

Here comes the disruption. DeepSeek, a Chinese startup founded in 2023, launched its R1 model in January 2025 promising something Western giants did not offer as easily: free access. Its open-source model allowed anyone — developer or not — to access and modify essential parts of the technology without spending a penny.

The strategy worked. While OpenAI charged premiums for its services, DeepSeek offered a viable alternative. The operational cost of R1 would be substantially lower than its American counterparts, a revelation that resonated throughout the global tech circles. Nature, a renowned scientific journal, published last September peer-reviewed research co-authored by Liang Wenfeng, founder of DeepSeek, calling it a "historic article." The speed at which China caught up with the US in this segment surprised even observers accustomed to rapid innovation.

R1’s performance in tasks such as mathematics (where operations with greater and lesser symbols in math require logical precision) and programming impressed experts. However, Lavista Ferres noted a crucial nuance: the model handles political issues differently from American versions. "For certain types of questions, it’s clear they follow the same internet access as China has," he explained. "This means there will be questions answered very differently, particularly political ones. In many ways, this could influence the world."

Anyone can use the DeepSeek chatbot for free via web and mobile devices. Developers can build solutions on its core system at no cost. The Microsoft report summarized the impact: it "reduced access barriers for millions of users, especially in regions where price is a determining factor."

## Geopolitical Expansion and Western Reactions

The numbers reveal a clear geographic pattern. DeepSeek dominates 89% of the Chinese market, 56% in Belarus, 49% in Cuba, 43% in Russia. In Syria and Iran, it captures 23% and 25%, respectively. In African nations like Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Niger, its share ranges between 11% and 14%.

Coincidence? No. These regions share a common characteristic: restrictions or limited access to American technological services. DeepSeek comes pre-installed on phones manufactured by Chinese giants like Huawei, accelerating its organic dissemination.

This reality alarmed Western powers. Australia, Germany, and the United States attempted to limit the use of the Chinese platform citing security concerns. Microsoft even banned its own employees from accessing it. As a result, DeepSeek’s adoption remained low in North America and Europe, while exploding in China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba.

Artificial intelligence has transcended its original technological function. It has become a geopolitical tool through which Chinese influence expands into territories where Western platforms face legal or commercial obstacles. Nature and the Microsoft report both pointed out: "Open-source AI can serve as a geopolitical instrument, expanding Chinese influence in areas where Western platforms cannot operate easily."

The future will depend on how these dynamics evolve — and whether the global community can balance innovation, security, and equitable access to the technology shaping the 21st century.